Selling a property in Aberdeen, first time seller questions.

me1000uk

Hi All

I'm selling a property for the first time and hoping for a bit of luck and have it sold by the end of the year.

I just have a few questions as online is my only real resource. Property is a flat in Aberdeen, no mortgage, probably worth around 100k.

Any advice/help is greatly appreciated. I'm hoping they're quick questions and thank you all for taking any time to respond.

questions:

1) When looking at estate agents, there's a few that seem like law firms and likely do everything in house. Is that a good approach? I asked a couple and they seem to have their own listings but it is searchable in ASPC (Aberdeen database) but apparently not in the sites like rightmove and whatnot. Is that a disadvantage or not really applicable. 

2) How much roughly should I budget for advance expenses? I understand things like home reports need to be done and marketing fees. I would need to make sure I scrape enough spare cash to cover this. An approximate range would be great?

3) Flat is somewhat refurbished with a couple of bits of joinery maybe needed. I'm in another city now but is it worth doing those bits of joinery (fixing a wardrobe door and one of the room door handles) or is this irrelevant in the scheme of things. I have someone local that will help with viewings etc but not sure it's worth doing minor joinery unless these little touches affect buyers.

4) When different companies offer to value your home do they all do it individually or is it a centralised valuation and they'll know I've seen different estate agents? 

Anything of note that I've missed?

Many thanks!

theartfullodger

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/housing/buying-and-selling-s/selling-a-home-s/

In my experience (sold 4 properties in past 5 years, 3 in Scotland) get 2 or 3 agents round to look at the place & see what they recommend for refurbishment etc.  In all of my 4 cases (one a 1900's house, hardly touched since my brother purchased in 1971, really rough) the advice was do no refurb apart from clearing the place & garden - as purchasers would decide what they wanted doing.  But maybe that's just a bizarre experience nobody else ever gets... and loads of others people will say otherwise.

Agents & solicitors (often same firm in Scotland) will tell you what THEY will charge: IMHO don;t go for the cheapest.  Be friendly, helpful and very flexible in your help for agent - that way they are more likely (but may not) to be helpful back.

Look at the google reviews of any firm you think you might use: But expect a few bad reviews.. 

theoretica

Look on ASPS and see how many properties are on there compared to Rightmove.  In Edinburgh ESPC is the place to be seen, but in Glasgow GSPC had far fewer properties when I looked a few years back and many more on Rightmove.

If you ask estate agents for their opinion of a selling price they will just tell you - I have never heard of anyone getting more than one home report to try to get a higher formal valuation - though know of no reason other than cost for it not to happen.